Are these eight European clubs capable of taking on Borussia Dortmund’s popularity?

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Willem II

Dutch Eredivise side Willem II seems to be one which lends itself naturally to footballing hipsters. Based in the University city of Tilburg, one can be sure of intellectual debate in a coffee shop, so frequent in the Netherlands. Alternatively, if that isn’t your scene, the local liquor Schrobbeler served in a stone glass comes at 21.5% alcohol, to loosen you up and become merry with the Willem II ultras. Named after William II of the Netherlands; who served in the British Army at Waterloo, there is much to love about Willem II if you’re interested in history. On the pitch, Willem II have yo-yoed between the Eredivise and Eerste Divisie (the Dutch second division), but frequently pack out their admittedly small, but vociferous stadium Koning Willem II Stadion with 14,000 die-hard fans. What’s not to love about a trip to the Netherlands especially in such a hipster city as Tilburg?

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Rayo Vallecano

Arguably Madrid’s fourth team, Rayo Vallecano is the team for you if you’re politicised. Vallecano are behind the city’s giants of Athletico and Real Madrid, and also Getafe out in the suburbs, but what support they do have is incredibly loyal and concentrated in the working class district of Vallecas. Vallecano have historically played in La Liga as well as divisions two and three in Spanish football. Currently in their fifth consecutive season in La Liga, you can watch a high standard of football at Vallecano at an affordable price. You can travel to Madrid saying you’ll be watching a La Liga game, and bamboozle your friends when saying it isn’t Real or Atlético. A hipster’s dream.

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Gazelec Ajaccio

Gazelec Ajaccio are currently playing in their first ever Ligue 1 campaign. For the first time in their 106 year history, they are ahead of fellow Corsican side AC Ajaccio and are only just behind SC Bastia from the north of the island. Corsica itself is a French sun soaked island in the Mediterranean, just north of the Italian island of Sardinia. That tells you all you need to know about the weather and climate in which you can watch football. Gazelec’s average attendance in the top flight this season is a mere 3,500 – they don’t come more alternative than that.